Less than a tenth of individuals that would benefit from GLP-1 drugs including Wegovy are able to get them, caution the World Health Organization as it publishes its first guidance on the drugs.
With over a billion individuals worldwide now obese, it is urging more widespread and fairer availability to this class of drugs.
Based on estimates, over two billion will be obese by 2030 unless action is taken.
"Our latest guidance affirms that excess weight is a lifelong illness that can be treated with comprehensive and ongoing support," stated the agency's head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, limited production capacity, and distribution challenges are key hurdles to widespread access to the jabs that can aid individuals in losing substantial weight, explains the agency.
Skinny Jab Scarcity
Even in the current most favorable scenario, the manufacturing of GLP-1 therapies would only suffice for around 100 million people – less than 10% of the global need, per the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase access, by measures such as licensing agreements.
A patent on semaglutide – the core ingredient of a leading brand – is set to lapse in multiple nations in 2026.
How Obesity Injections Work
The injections replicate a body's own hormone to slow digestion, suppress the appetite and increase the sense of being full so individuals eat less.
Individuals usually start to lose weight after several weeks of starting on the regular doses.
Evidence points to users may see weight return after a year of stopping the drug, because their normal hunger return.
Being overweight or obese raises your likelihood for developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, brain attack, and certain cancers.
Obesity impacts people in countries worldwide and was responsible for millions of fatalities worldwide in 2024, as per the health agency.
